Puerto Vallarta: pack for salt and rain.

What the climate means for your things

• —Rainy season: mid-June to mid-October, with most rain July–September. Try to schedule deliveries outside it.
• —Salt air and humidity are hard on metal tools, electronics and leather — store tools dry, and expect to buy cooling locally (see appliances).
• —Hurricanes are rare but possible on this coast: insure shipments, and keep important papers in waterproof storage.

Shopping locally

With a Costco in town and the usual Mexican chains, everyday household goods are easy to replace. Our price checks found electronics pricier in Mexico — bring those, and leave the bulky budget furniture.

Getting your things there

• —From Texas: about 811 mi (1,305 km), 16.1 hours from Laredo.
• —From the West: about 1,001 mi (1,611 km), 19.2 hours from Nogales; see Arizona to Sonora for the Nogales crossing.
• —The closest published container benchmark is Guadalajara: $2,300–3,300 (20 ft) and $4,200–6,200 (40 ft), freight only.

Paperwork for retirees

• —Permanent residents can import their used household goods duty-free as a menaje de casa; the consulate certificate for foreigners costs USD 195 in 2026, and consulates say you need a customs broker. Temporary residents can only bring them as a temporary import. Details in the menaje de casa guide.
• —Your list needs to be in Spanish, item by item, with brand, model and serial for electronics — the menaje list generator builds it from your inventory.
• —Bringing a car is a separate question: read bringing a car to Mexico before you decide.